Shopping for a canoe and 2 kayaks

We have a canoe and several kayaks. The type of boating you plan really makes a big difference in what to get. 

Touring and longer recreational kayaks are best for flat water. They track well, they move faster, and they are fairly stable. If you plan to take on creeks, where they will hit rocks, get a plastic boat rather than fiberglass. But if you have the budget, fiberglass boats are much lighter and prettier for flat water.

Liquid Logic makes nice boats (my white water boat is an old LL boat). But I think the Remix is going to be too short for mostly flat water. I would look at a 12-15 foot boat at least. They move well, and hold a reasonable amount of stuff for a day or weekend trip. Shorter boats like the ones you've listed are OK for an afternoon of paddling around, but they are the equivalent of getting a cruiser or city bike - sooner or later, if you enjoy it, you will get something a bit more performance oriented. And being what they are, if you try to do too much with them, you will feel very frustrated and want to give up.

As for the canoe, I would first ask why?  I have a friend who was (prior to his getting into boating) constantly trying to convince me to get another canoe so we could do trips with them. Then I made him try the canoe and the kayak side by side. The canoe was very "beam-y", with a higher profile that caught the wind like a sail, while the kayak, riding lower, was more stable and much swifter for a single paddler. 

Mrs. gearboy wanted the canoe, hence it is in the floating part of the gearzone. But as her knees got old, she can no longer comfortably use it. She was afraid she would become trapped in the kayak if it went upside down. She didn't believe me, but she did believe the guy at the shop who told her that (a)a touring boat is quite stable and (b) you generally fall right out, and don't get trapped, even with a closed cockpit design. Now she happily paddles my old Perception while I am in my CLC LT16 that I made myself.

Is your husband concerned about getting trapped? Tipping over? Is he planning to haul a lot of gear (I have taken the kayaks for trips of several days length without a problem)? If he wants to paddle with a buddy, there are some nice double kayaks out there, although paddling (canoes or kayaks) with a companion requires a lot of coordination and practice.

My other suggestion is to use either craigslist or the local paddling club to get a second hand boat. Especially if you are not sure if you are going to be really into it, and don't want to get a more performance oriented boat at the outset, why spend that much on a new boat? Maybe the local club members would also let you try out some of their boats (giving you also some instruction and ideas about where to paddle)?

Built your own kayak out of wood... pretty neat project!

I had made a Greenland paddle a couple of years earlier, and it was so nice, I decided I needed a wooden boat to go with it. If I find the time, I should make another boat so we have a matching set.

I see your husband's point of videw.  I like just paddling around with JWKMH in the front of the canoe.  She carries the paddle but rarely uses it.  It is a low key thing to do before the lake gets crowded with speed boats.  We are rarely out for more than 30 minutes at a time, but we go out lots of Saturday mornings. 

I also have an electric trolling motor for the canoe to go fishing.  Some day I will get a wing rower so I can have a poor man's substitute for a single scull. Piantedosi Row Wing conversion for a canoe.

Besides, if he was like me, it was a canoe your husband learned to paddle at Boy Scout camp.

I personally know nothing about kayaks.

TW

Shoot kayaking is easier than rowing properly.

Much easier.  I didn't suggest otherwise.  I just want an inexpensive way to row.  For a great workout of legs, back, shoulders, and arms, rowing is the best.  Don't you agree?

TW

Oh I agree about both the workout and the wanting an inexpensive way. The company GB linked for the wooden kayak also makes a wooden shell kit that looks really nice and has me thinking.

I'll second what gearboy said.  If you're out with the canoe and paddling flatwater with the kayaks listed you will get frustrated.  They are designed more for maneuverability than speed, especially the LL, and you will probably find it difficult to keep up and track a straight line.

I've taken my old touring kayak, Perception Chinook, down moderate rivers with canoes and had no trouble navigating the rougher water.  I wouldn't try serious rapids with it though.

If carrying gear is the reason for the canoe, a kayak like the Chinook will carry just about everything but the kitchen sink.  The kayaks I have now are not as large, but I've still been able to do a week long solo camping trip with mine.  That included carrying drinking water for the week since I was kayaking on coastal islands.

No experience with kayaks...but we have two canoes: a Wenonah Minnesota II and an AlumnaCraft. Good place to look for deals is an outfitter's used gear sales. Some of the places around here sell everything from canoes/kayaks to packs to stoves to bags to thermarests, etc. Basically, most of the gear you'd need for a trip.

We got our Kevlar for less than 1/2 price and it was barely two years old (if that)...so, a great deal, if you are looking for high quality gear at a lower price (and don't mind some cosemetic damage).